No McIlroy but chasing pack ready to seize chance
Print Edition
OFFICIALS at the BMW Masters expressed disappointment yesterday at the absence of crowd-puller Rory McIlroy, but said they respected his decision to pull out of the European Tour event.
The world No. 1 is taking time away from golf to prepare for his multi-million dollar legal case against his former management company in Ireland.
The absence of the mercurial Northern Irishman, who has won two majors this year, threatens to take the gloss off the first event on the European Tour’s “Final Four” series of big money events.
McIlroy’s absence, announced eight days ago, was still the subject of much talk around the practice greens at Lake Malaren in Shanghai yesterday as finishing touches were put to the course for today’s opening round.
“We are very sorry that Rory McIlroy will not tee off at the BMW Masters for the first time since the tournament has been held,” BMW’s tournament director Marco Kaussler said. “We obviously understand the disappointment of the many golf fans in China, but we respect his decision.”
The tournament suffered a second blow on Tuesday with the confirmation that world No. 5 Henrik Stenson would also miss the event. His wife Emma gave birth on Sunday in Florida.
The weakened field means that Welshman Jamie Donaldson, currently fourth in the Race to Dubai standings, is the leading European player in the field.
He is one of only a handful of players with a slim chance of catching runaway leader McIlroy in the standings. “Obviously it would be great to have Rory here,” Donaldson said.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of why he’s not playing here but I’m sure he’ll be back playing as strong as ever,” Donaldson said, before heading for yesterday’s pro-am.
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